Dynamics
by Holy Ghost!
  • Record Label: DFA
  • Release Date: Sep 10, 2013
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
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  1. Mixmag
    Nov 26, 2013
    80
    A super-satisfying second LP.
  2. DIY Magazine
    Oct 7, 2013
    80
    For those who like their light-hearted empty-headed fun to contain a certain amount of concealed depth, Dynamics certainly does the trick.
  3. The Line of Best Fit
    Oct 3, 2013
    75
    Dynamics is, first and foremost, a dance album, and as such, it passes its most critical test with flying colors; at no point during its duration is one unburdened of the desire to dance.
  5. CMJ
    Oct 11, 2013
    70
    As its title implies, the record is full of a dynamism that sometimes sets it apart from others out there, and will undoubtedly show listeners a good time.
  6. Drowned In Sound
    Oct 9, 2013
    70
    With Dynamics, Holy Ghost! have struck a careful balance between revisiting their mid-Noughties origins and playing with new ideas within a similar arena.
  7. Under The Radar
    Sep 10, 2013
    70
    This is another solid offering from a band accustomed to putting out great records. [Aug-Sep 2013, p.91]
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  8. AllMusic
    Sep 10, 2013
    70
    It's undoubtedly steadier and unified [than its self-titled debut], built for beginning-to-end listening.
  9. Pitchfork
    Sep 18, 2013
    63
    It's the stay-the-course dancefloor material that proves the most rewarding.
  10. Rolling Stone
    Sep 10, 2013
    60
    On their second album, this New York synth-pop duo trumpet the power of "Dumb Disco Ideas." And they've got more than a few of them, expertly cribbed from classic Depeche Mode, Italo-disco, Giorgio Moroder, New Order, LCD Soundsystem and more.
  11. PopMatters
    Nov 14, 2013
    50
    Dynamics is curiously not all that dynamic.
  12. Consequence
    Sep 12, 2013
    50
    Further listening and a proper lyrics sheet might reveal similarly resonant words in more of the record’s songs. For now, however, Holy Ghost!’s lack of specificity and fixation with ’80s gloss have worked against them.
  13. Q Magazine
    Nov 22, 2013
    40
    This crosses the border from homage to mimicry. [Dec 2013, p.108]
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  14. Slant Magazine
    Sep 10, 2013
    20
    They're especially fond of bad movie soundtracks from the '80s, and they show it on their sophomore effort, Dynamics, by making every song sound like the non-hits off those albums.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. Alpenhows
    Oct 1, 2013
    8
    One word fun. Who cares if the 80s references are pronounced (like Rockwell on Bridges and Tunnels), that is purposeful because sometimesOne word fun. Who cares if the 80s references are pronounced (like Rockwell on Bridges and Tunnels), that is purposeful because sometimes music just needs to have no pretense and just be.

    I saw these guys at Sasquatch and very much was looking forward to this album. It didn't meet my expectations (maybe because they were too high after the live show), but I do like this new one. I disagree with the limited critics reviews on this.    … Full Review »
  2. lemuriams
    Sep 17, 2013
    9
    Great music gets so far 5.9 on Metacritic? I hope to at least "public" to recommend this album and give an assessment worthy of 11 greatGreat music gets so far 5.9 on Metacritic? I hope to at least "public" to recommend this album and give an assessment worthy of 11 great songs.

    Album can even get a 0.0, but I'm going to stand behind him for such pearls as the Changing of the Guard and It Must Be the Weather.    … Full Review »
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